If it beats you how a boulevard city can spring in the middle of a semi-arid land, come to Tel Aviv. Because it’s here that you get to see what technology and common sense can deliver: underneath the city runs a network of pipes and, on the surface, holes have been dug wherever there’s no concrete to water the land, drop by drop.And it’s this drip irrigation technology that has brought Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu here from Milan and made him promptly switch gears from car race tracks. As chairman of the National Task Force on micro-irrigation, he’s here for Agritech 2003 which showcases state-of-the-art Israeli technology on saving water and maximising yields.When he returns, Naidu will prepare a report for the Centre on how best to cart home the technology which has the potential to put an end to the misery of droughts, year after year, in large parts of the country. Because micro-irrigation, as estimates go, can save 60-80 per cent water when compared to surface irrigation.So when he landed here with a delegation, Naidu got down to do what he is good at: hardsell. For once, he wasn’t enticing 50 top investors to software parks. His focus was on mega agricultural parks with micro-irrigation as its back-bone.He spoke of the ‘‘golden revolution’’ of floriculture after the green and white revolutions. In presentations peppered with phrases like ‘‘more crops per drop,’’ he tried to woo investors and companies: ‘‘I am very confident that this technology will work in India if both countries work together.’’As the Task Force boss, he is responsible not just for Andhra Pradesh but also Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Like the others, he is clearly fascinated by what Israel has to offer. And everyone here is asking: Can he breathe new life into two decades of experiment with drip irrigation?Naidu has announced a $240-million mega project in Kuppam, encouraged by initial success on a somewhat small scale. A pilot project, which commenced in Chittoor district in 1997, covered 10,000 acres under high value vegetable crops in two phases, involving investments to the tune of 10 million dollars. His enthusiasm rose when annual returns per acre increased from $ 1,000 to $ 9,000.Most big Israeli companies like BHS, Netafim and Plastro are pitching to get a share of this India pie. Naidu’s target is to convert 6 lakh hectares into micro-irrigated land by 2008. This technology first came to India in 1985 when it was applied to grapes in Maharashtra. In the 90s, it travelled to orchards and is now being used for closely-spaced vegetables like onions.Some of the Israeli companies are not new to India but they are waiting for a new round of policies and fresh lease of life. Drip irrigation has been largely dependent on subsidy. The result: the equipment was given to farmers but never really created a genuine demand.But government policies are being revised. Andhra Pradesh has only 50 per cent subsidy for drip irrigation equipment. Says ITC chairman Y C Deveshwar, heading the CII delegation to Agritech: ‘‘The trick is to adapt these technologies to the Indian situation and to create extension services so that these are replicated.’’Naidu listed the steps he has taken in Andhra Pradesh with 15 million hectares in agriculture. A target has been set for horticulture with 8 per cent growth. Four agri-export zones for vegetables, mango, grapes and gherkins been established. McKinsey has been hired for horticulture development.
